The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Makurdi, Benue State branch, Joseph Gbagyo, has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in Nigeria despite the myriads of challenges confronting the nation.

Mr Gbagyo, who spoke on Thursday in Makurdi on Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, said the country had come a long way through trials and tribulations, but the spirit remained one indivisible entity.

The NBA chairman stated that the indivisibility of Nigeria was a lot for Nigerians to thank God for.

He, however, stated that the people expect a better country in terms of the fulfilment of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policies.

According to him, in terms of provision of good education, social amenities, good healthcare facilities, good road network, and good and habitable environment for all and sundries, the country is seriously lagging behind.

“But that’s not enough to give up or lose hope. We can only join hands together to rebuild the nation.

“And if we have put leaders in place, it is also expected that they should lead with a sense of humanity and a sense of empathy, and that the citizens of the country deserve the best.

“You can see the reaction across the country in the way and manner the independence is marked. This is a national event, but you can see the dull environment.

“It speaks to the issue of the fact that a lot of people in Nigeria are not happy with the way things are: galloping inflation, insecurity, poor healthcare facilities and poor road network.

“However, like I said, it’s not enough to lose hope. It’s not enough to give up on the country, but rather we can work together to rebuild it,” he urged Nigerians.

Speaking further, Mr Gbagyo described the Federal Government’s reforms as tough and that the citizens were the ones bearing the brunt.

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

“However, the subsidy removal put more money in the pocket of most states. Some states are taking the move in the right direction in terms of ensuring that their citizens have social security.

“But some states, I tell you in all honesty, are not doing enough. And I think so far, people are not smiling.

“The policy is quite a difficult one at the moment. But we hope that at the end of the day we’ll see how it will end. But for now, it’s a tough one, I must say.

“There is a lot of hardship in the country as a result of that policy. And the cushioning effect is not quite commensurate to what has been done,” he said. 

(NAN)